Kiran Rao's ‘Laapataa Ladies’ has been chosen as India's official entry for the Oscars 2025. Just two days later, another Hindi film has achieved a similar distinction. Sandhya Suri's ‘Santosh’ has been nominated by the UK as the Best International Feature Film for the Oscars 2025. The film stars acclaimed Indian actresses Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in leading roles, exemplifying the strong performances that define contemporary Indian filmmaking.

These selections not only celebrate the artistic achievements of Indian filmmakers but also underscore India's vibrant storytelling traditions and cultural narratives. As the country continues to gain recognition at prestigious international platforms, it reflects a commitment to diverse and meaningful cinema that resonates with audiences worldwide. 

International recognition

The selection process was carried out by BAFTA, the organisation designated by the American Academy to choose the UK's entry. ‘Santosh’ premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It was selected as the UK's entry due to its extensive release and backing from British producers. The film is produced by Mike Goodridge, James Bausher, Balthazar de Ganay, and Alan McAlex, with executive producers including Ama Ampadu, Eva Yates, Diarmid Scrimshaw, Lucia Haslauer, and Martin Gerhard.

Sandhya Suri is a British-Indian filmmaker who not only directed ‘Santosh’ but also worked as a co-writer on the same project. She garnered acclaim for her previous works, including the documentary ‘I for India’ released in 2005 and ‘Around India with a Movie Camera’ in 2018. While ‘Santosh’ has been submitted as the UK’s entry, it is fundamentally an Indian film, set in a village in North India.

The movie ‘Santosh’

Written and directed by Sandhya Suri, ‘Santosh’ is an investigative thriller set in a North Indian village. The film follows a newly married woman whose life takes a dramatic turn when her husband, a police constable, dies unexpectedly. She inherits his position and is assigned a challenging case involving the murder of a minor girl. As she delves into the investigation, the complexities of her new role and the mysteries surrounding the case unfold. The character of Santosh is portrayed by Shahana Goswami.